QB Anderson leads Woodbridge against Ridge

The Woodbridge High School football team held a little mini camp back in June during which quarterback Kyle Anderson impressed.

“”After the first couple of 7 on 7s, we knew right then he’d be our quarterback because of his accuracy and his leadership in the huddle,” Woodbridge coach Brian Russo said. “”He is so mature. He’s got a voice, and his voice is so powerful, the kids listen to him. The question was, could he take a hit? And with pads and helmet on, could he throw?”

It took very little time for Russo to find those answers.

Anderson, as comfortable throwing out of a three-step drop as he is on the bootleg, has completed 77 of 167 passes (46 percent) for 1,006 yards and 11 touchdowns.

He is one of the biggest reasons why the eighth-seeded Barrons rebounded from an 0-4 start to win their next five games and reach Friday’s North 2 Group IV semifinal at fifth-seeded Ridge (kickoff is 7 p.m.).

The precocious Anderson, who is just a sophomore, plays with a maturity that belies his age. One of the brightest students in his class, Anderson is also football smart. He played some varsity basketball and baseball last year, helping to build his field presence.

“”He’s one of the smartest kids I’ve been around,” Russo said. “”The kid is just sharp. You’d be surprised he’s a 15-year-old kid if you talk to him. He hangs out with good kids and comes from good stock.”

Anderson,’s father, also named Kyle, played quarterback at J.F. Kennedy and switched to wide receiver at The College of New Jersey. Anderson’s uncle, Jimmy, was a first-team Associated Press All-American wideout at the University of Delaware in 1987 and still holds many of the school’s receiving records.

Woodbridge’s starting wideouts, Anthony Nyers and Keith Hughes, are also sophomores. They have combined for 34 receptions, 426 yards and four touchdowns.

Nyers is the son of Kean University offensive coordinator Bill Nyers, a Woodbridge graduate who as head coach of the Barrons led his alma mater to the 1997 Central Group IV championship.

Hughes is the son of former Rutgers University and Carteret basketball star Keith Hughes, who was a 1991 second-round draft pick of the Houston Rockets.

Anderson, Nyers and Hughes were teammates on an Iselin Pop Warner football team that went unbeaten and won a divisional championship in 2007.

The sophomore trio, forced into obvious throwing situations while playing come-from-behind football, took its lumps early in the year as Woodbridge struggled to find its running game behind a patchwork offensive line.

Anderson, who tried to force some passes, threw 10 interceptions and three touchdowns in the team’s first four games.

“”Without a running game we saw this kid throw the ball for over 200 yards,” Russo said. “”We thought this kid can do some things if we get a running game together and protect him.”

Once the line got healthy and the ground game was established, Anderson started to live up to his billing, throwing eight touchdowns with just three interceptions.

“”He’s just gotten better and better,” Russo said. “”His poise and mental toughness are incredible for a kid his age. At the same time he can be giddy as a sophomore, too, which is cool, making him loose enough to be a quarterback.

“”He prepares as hard as he can every week. The last couple of games we’ve been on the same page. He has all the intangibles of a quarterback and makes a coach’s job a lot easier.”

At 5-foot-11, 160 pounds, Anderson is still growing. He has long fingers and long hands — perfect for a quarterback.

Russo said he and Anderson’s other coaches have agreed to encourage the three-sport star to continue to play football, basketball and baseball while at the same time finding time to work in the weight room each season.

“”We think (playing three sports) is something that’s not done enough,” Russo said. “”I’m happy we have him for two more years.”

About Greg Tufaro

Greg Tufaro is in his 20th year as a sports writer at the Home News Tribune, where he has covered recreational, collegiate, scholastic and professional sports. He is a graduate of Rutgers University. Greg lives in Central Jersey with his wife Cyndi and their 5-year-old daughter Marisa.

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Home News Tribune writer Greg Tufaro talks about high school football

About the Author

Greg TufaroGreg Tufaro is in his 20th year as a sports writer at the Home News Tribune, where he has covered recreational, collegiate, scholastic and professional sports. He is a graduate of Rutgers University. Greg lives in Central Jersey with his wife Cyndi and their 5-year-old daughter Marisa.E-mail Greg

Joe MartinoJoe Martino has covered Central Jersey news and sports for the Courier News and Home News Tribune since 2009. Currently, he’s an innovative member of the MyCentralJersey.com online news team. He’s lived in Bridgewater his entire life and is a graduate of Ramapo College.E-mail Joe